abaya

[ uh-bey-yuh ]

/ əˈbeɪ yə /

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noun

a coarse, felted fabric woven of camel's or goat's hair.

a loose, sleeveless outer garment made of this fabric or of silk, worn by Arabs.

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Also called a·ba, ab·ba

[uh-bah, ah-buh] /əˈbɑ, ˈɑ bə/ .

Origin of abaya

First recorded in 1805–15; from Arabic ʿabā'(ah)

Words nearby abaya

abator, abattage, A battery, abattoir, abaxial, abaya, abb, Abba, abbacy, abba-dabba, Abbado

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use abaya in a sentence

In spite of all these changes, the force of the state continued to impose the black abaya in public.
Saudi Activist Manal Al-Sharif on Why She Removed the Veil|Manal Al Sharif, Advancing Human Rights|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The other change was in the symbolism of the abaya—its significance was no longer of a religious and social nature only.
Saudi Activist Manal Al-Sharif on Why She Removed the Veil|Manal Al Sharif, Advancing Human Rights|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The black abaya and facial covering was imposed on all female government employees, and on schools and universities.
Saudi Activist Manal Al-Sharif on Why She Removed the Veil|Manal Al Sharif, Advancing Human Rights|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The heavyset wife wears a black abaya, has facial tattoos and croaks harshly when she speaks.
Whatever You Do Someone Will Die. A Short Story About Impossible Choices in Iraq|Nathan Bradley Bethea|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

On asking the meaning of this occurrence, I was told that they were friends of Abaya and wished to talk with me.
The Philippines Past and Present (Volume 2 of 2)|Dean Conant Worcester
Abaya, nothing loth, hastened to execute the order, hunting up the Negrito and aiming a terrific blow at him.
The Philippines Past and Present (Volume 2 of 2)|Dean Conant Worcester
It inflicted a horrible wound, but he nevertheless ran away so fast that Abaya was unable to catch him and finish the job.
The Philippines Past and Present (Volume 2 of 2)|Dean Conant Worcester
Abaya was one of a few men in Apayao who dared to descend to the lowlands.
The Philippines Past and Present (Volume 2 of 2)|Dean Conant Worcester

British Dictionary definitions for abaya

abaya

/ (əˈbaɪə) /

noun

a long black long-sleeved robe worn by Muslim women in Arabic-speaking countries, often with a headscarf or veil

Word Origin for abaya

Arabic

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012